As a result of its long ageing, The Laphroaig 28 Years Cask Strength is a whisky of great elegance and depth. A whisky with tangy and peaty notes, typical of younger Laphoraigs, but here we find a stronger concentration of fruity and spicy flavours, as well as notes of marzipan and nougat. This limited edition bottling is composed of a blend from several cask types, further aged and finished 12 months in sherry casks. Bottled at a cask strength of 44.4%.
Tasting notes
Deep copper colour.
On the nose, Laphroaig's signature taste of ripe fruit, sweet barley, and maritime notes of peat. Oils, waxes, chalk, earthy and subtle herbs complement the distinctive medicinal notes and embellish the nose. A hint of sherry is faintly noticeable in the background.
The taste is exceptionally complex and voluminous with the perfect balance between sweet-bitter-sour and smoky flavours. Fruits dominate the opening, followed by bitter herbal and waxy notes, accompanied by a light sweetness from the malted barley sugar. Peaty and smoky flavours join boldly, bringing back the balance. The wood provides a basic structure for all the other flavours, and it never attempts to dominate.
The finish is long and fades away regularly and slowly. Towards the end, there is just a subtle dryness - coming from the peat smoke - that is not distracting. Some delicious chocolate and sherry flavours eventually emerge and the torrefaction becomes stronger. Water is neither needed nor recommended.
Laphroaig has a long history dating back to 1815. Founded by the brothers Donald and Alec Johnston, who at the time raised cattle. One day they decided to distil whisky, soon word spread out around Islay that the whisky produced at Laphroaig was remarkably good. It became clear that distilling whisky was more profitable than raising cattle, that is how Laphroaig whisky was “officially” born. The distillery remained in family hands for the next 139 years.Later on, in 1921, after many turns, Ian Hunter took over the running distillery and revitalised it.Today Laphroaig is one of the most iconic Islay's distilleries that continues to use the original malting floors as well as a 200-year-old method of cold smoke peating. The hand-cut peat found near the sea is transferred to ancient kilns, cold smoked until the right level of peat smoke is obtained. This process gives the barley layers of rich smoky and medicinal notes, contributing to the unique flavour of the whiskies.Laphroaig's smoky and iodine character embodies the identity of Islay and is often referred to as the most flavourful o all Scotch whiskies.
